Impatiens plant named Rondo

ABSTRACT

A new Impatiens plant named Rondo, characterized by its dark red medium size flower color, compact growth, medium size plant, floriferous habit, and by its purple stems.

The present invention relates to a new and distinctive cultivar ofImpatiens plant, botanically knows as Impatiens and known by thecultivar name Rondo, developed by me through controlled breeding bycrossing the cultivar identified by its breeding number 0-5-G as theseed parent with the cultivar identified by the number 68-5-A as thepollen parent.

Asexual reproduction by terminal or stem cuttings taken at MishmarHashiva, Israel has shown that the unique features of this new Impatiensare stabilized and are reproduced true to type in successivepropagations.

The following characteristics distinguish the new Impatiens from bothits parent varieties and other cultivated impatiens of this type knownand used in the floriculture industry:

1. Compact growth habit.

2. Medium size plant.

3. Unique dark red flower color.

4. Medium size flower.

5. Floriferous habit.

6. Flower carried on purple stems.

7. The compact and vigorous growth habit of Rondo is unique for brightred flower cultivars of this type.

The accompanying color photographs illustrate the overall appearance andflower detail of this cultivar, showing the colors as true as it isreasonably possible to obtain in a colored reproduction of this type.

The top photo is a top perspective view of a portion of a plant.

The bottom photo is an enlarged showing of a single flower.

The following is a detailed description of my new impatiens cultivarbased on plants produced under commercial practice in Mishmar Hashiva,Israel. The description is based on observations and measurements madein the winter and the early spring.

Color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society ColourChart except where general terms of ordinary dictionary significance areused.

Parentage: Cross of 0.5.G×68-5-A.

Propagation:

A. Type cutting.--Leaf cuttings with axillary buds but not flower buds.

B. Time to initiate roots.--8-10 days both at 25°-30° C. summer and20°-22° C. winter.

C. Rooting habit.--Good root initiation.

Plant description:

A. Form.--Compact, medium size plant, symmetrically mounted.

B. Habit of growth.--Excellent branching and vigorous.

C. Foliage description.--Small to medium size leaves, dark green incolor. (1) Size: Approximately 7.5 cm in length and 3.5 cm in width. (2)Shape: Oval to elliptical. (3) Margin: Serrated. (4) Color: Youngfoliage top side darker than 137A; under side 146 B-C. Mature foliagetop side darker than 137A; under side 146 B-C. (5) Venation: Lightgreen.

Flowering description:

A. Flowering habits.--Very floriferous, with bud to fully open flowerrequiring approximately five days.

B. Natural flowering season.--Spring in moderate climates, but in Israelalso in the winter.

C. Flower bud description.--Normal.

D. Flowers borne.--Every branch has 5-6 buds in different stages. Thereare up to 3 opened flowers at the same time on each branch. Flower stemsare purple in color.

E. Quantity of flowers.--Total inflorescence is about 30-35 openedflowers at the same time, creating an extensive canopy of color.Flowering is continuous at temperatures above approximately 10° C. andwith minimum levels of light.

F. Petals.--(1) Shape: Two pairs of heart shaped petals, and onenon-heart shaped. (2) Color: Top side when opening 46B, with little orno fading of the bright and intense red color; under side 51A. (3)Number of petals: Five. (4) Size of flowers: Approximately 5.5 cm intotal diameter.

G. Reproductive organs.--(1) Stamens: One in number. (a) Anthers: Whiteand purple in color. (b) Pollen color: White. (2) Pistils: (a) Stigma:Cone shaped, green in color. (b) Style: Green in color. (c) Ovaries: Onein number, size 1.5 mm, color light green.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Impatiens plant named Rondo,as illustrated and described.